Returning to the friendly confines of the Bryce Jordan Center predictably aided PSU's shooting woes yesterday as they put together one of their best performances of the season in a 67-51 win over Nebraska. The win snapped their 5-game losing streak. The Nits were in control of the game from the 13:07 mark in the first half until the final buzzer. They went into the half up by 10 (36-26) and never saw the lead cut to single-digits the rest of the way.
Tim Frazier was absolutely tremendous from start to finish. He finished just 1 assist shy of a triple-double with 23 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 steals. It was his most efficient performance of his career, since he only took 9 shots to get his 23 points. He was also a perfect 8-for-8 from the foul line as the Huskers had no answer for him all day. His performance offered a glimpse of how great Frazier can be when he gets some help. Jermaine Marshall and Cammeron Woodyard were very efficient with a combined 26 points on 15 shots in support.
As a team, Penn State was incredibly accurate inside the arc against the Huskers, who were without their big man Jorge Brian Diaz. The Lions shot 66.7% (14-21) on their 2-point attempts. Eventually Nebraska adjusted to a 2-3 zone defense for most of the 2nd half, which forced PSU to fall in love with the 3 a bit too much. Over half of PSU's FGA were from behind the arc. Nick Colella particularly struggled, shooting just 2-11 from three (and costing Frazier his triple-double).
| Team | Poss | Score | PPP | eFG% | OReb% | TO% | FT Rate |
| NEB | 60 | 51 | 0.85 | 45.8% | 13.3% | 18.3% | 22.9% |
| PSU | 60 | 67 | 1.12 | 62.5% | 19.0% | 21.7% | 31.8% |
The 62.5% eFG% is PSU's 2nd best percentage of the season and the best in conference play. Shooting can make up for anything as PSU didn't hit the glass on offense and turned over the ball. The good news is PSU shut down Nebraska's attack, and they did so without fouling. The Huskers only attempted 11 free throws for the game, while PSU was only whistled for 15 fouls. The effort and attitude was everywhere as PSU won nearly every loose ball and had many successful dive attempts. Also, Nebraska's star guard Bo Spencer was held to 7 points and 3 assists, a marked improvement from Spencer's 19 point, 5 assist effort in the first game between these two teams.
Next up for Penn State is another winnable home game against Iowa on Thursday at 8 PM.
0 recs | 29 comments
Good win
Obviously, Nebraska is not a great team. However, there are very few teams that in conference that we have legitimate chances of beating. Getting wins like this can only help confidence levels. Hopefully, we can get a couple more conference wins and start building for next year.
psfann - February 12, 2012
It was a good win.
While Nebraska isn’t good, it’s a good sign we didn’t have to struggle to beat them. I was at the game and enjoyed the performance, especially by Frazier.
Joe 96alum - February 12, 2012
The opponents' FT stat is huge for us.
Everyone talks about how badly we shoot, but the rate at which we send opponents to the line is nearly as atrocious. This probably stems from the fact that we have no intimidation factor inside, but I’m concerned that it also has something to do with Chambers’ defensive philosophy.
This isn’t an absolute criticism of what he does, but rather a call for discussion. The Jay Wright/Villanova system has always had an emphasis on scrappy, quick-handed guards with strong on-ball pressure, and also a lot of guard stepping down to dig at the ball when it goes to the post. Back when Nova were final four contenders, they would get all sorts of steals where a guard would rip it from a big man, off quick double teams on the post entry. It’s how they made up for playing four guards and a SF/PF for long stretches.
Contrast that to the dominant defensive style of the B1G, which has been a positional, pack-it-in style of defense that emphasizes rotation and covering the paint without fouling. And the refs are used to calling it that way.
Does anyone think that Chambers’ brand of defense will be disadvantaged in the B1G because the scrappy style will get the short end of too many calls? Or will it all be fine once he gets his kind of athlete? Again, nothing against Chambers—he’s the best thing to happen to our men’s hoops in forever. But seeing our stats this year just makes me wonder.
Salt - February 12, 2012
This is an interesting point.
I really can’t say either way right now. I do think we’re getting ‘out-athleted’ inside and on the wings this season. I also think this young team is a little reckless with all of their diving. But it’s going to be interesting to see what kind of lineups Chambers throws out in 2 or 3 years and how will they defend.
Eric Gibson - February 12, 2012
It can work..
MSU used this extremely effectively against OSU this past weekend. There were probably at least 4 or 5 successful steals or blocked shots that I can remember from MSU guards or forwards that were a part of that quick double team that ripped the ball from an OSU player (especially Sullinger) on a drive to the lane. Now, MSU certainly has more of an inside presence than the current Nittany Lions and overall a better set of athletes. But, I think that the system can work with the right people.
wek5000lion09 - February 13, 2012
NBA Draft Pick Frazier
I know it’s not what you meant, but it is telling that the college player KenPom.com says Frazier is most similar to is last year’s Iman Shumpert (Ga Tech guard), who is now having a respectable rookie year with the Knicks.
ckmneon - February 12, 2012
If Tim Frazier
was taller than 5’10" and weighed more than 155 lbs, maybe.
But he ain’t.
Tailgate Shogun - February 12, 2012
While I completely agree that this is what NBA scouts are thinking
I won’t say that he couldn’t make it there. He can legitimately dunk a basketball and out jump a lot of people taller than him from a stop. I think he could make it in the NBA if and only if somebody would take a chance on him.
ckmneon - February 12, 2012
JJ Barea is 5'11" maybe 170.
Eric Gibson - February 12, 2012
Frazier's height wouldn't be an issue so much as his weight would be
He’d have to tack on some mass to handle the bigger, stronger guards in the NBA. His speed would absolutely be an asset though, since most pro teams are trending toward the full court rather than half court offense. What do you think Frazier’s draft potential will be in comparison to Battle’s?
LAPSU - February 12, 2012
Frazier's gonna end up overseas just like Battle
He’s a very good overall player, but unfortunately he lacks one elite skill, which is what you need to become an NBA player if you’re not superstar level.
Tim Frazier is a great player; the fact that he’ll likely never play in the NBA shouldn’t — and in my view doesn’t — take anything away from that.
spakajewia - February 13, 2012
I always thought that Battle could have been a pretty good bench player in the NBA
He isn’t afraid to take shots and doesn’t need others to create for him, both on the jumper and the dribble. Kind of a poor man’s Jason Terry.
LAPSU - February 13, 2012
really
poor, i thought jeff brooks had the best chance, if he had the year he had as a freshman probably would have been drafted….6-8 had some handles just couldn’t consistently go into beast mode
ktd5048 - February 13, 2012
It'll be interesting to see
as Chambers recruits more talented players, whether he is also able to develop those players into NBA-worthy draft prospects. It’d be cool to watch some PSU alums in the NBA eventually.
LAPSU - February 14, 2012
JJ Barea is absurdly quick
and very few people can match his first step; Tim Frazier unfortunately isn’t one of ’em.
spakajewia - February 13, 2012
I'm 5'10 and he is taller than me and is probably much closer to 6' if not a tad over
BMAN13 - February 13, 2012
Yeah, this
He’s 6’ tall, if not 6’ 1". I’m 6’ and he’s right around my height, if not a hair taller.
Plus the fact that he has an INSANE vertical, I don’t think his height should be the issue as much as his weight, as mentioned above.
dbl5030 - February 13, 2012
Frazier
2nd in the BIG in scoring, 1st in assist per game, 2nd in steals per game, 14th in rebounds per game. any chance he gets some BIG POY recognition or at least 1st team all BIG?
wicker - February 12, 2012
No chance for Big POY.
I think the coaches might give him 1st team All-Big. I doubt the media will. I’ll be pissed if he’s below 2nd team on either ballot.
Eric Gibson - February 12, 2012
If you watched the ESPNU broadcast
The announcers were giving a lot of love to Timmy. So there’s that.
TonyLion - February 13, 2012
I hate how you're right about that.
Just because the team sucks overall doesn’t mean we can’t have the best player in the conference.
I dislike how “Player of the Year” or “Most Valuable Player” awards have just become “best player on the best team” awards. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised based on how lazy the major outlets for sports journalism have become.
dbl5030 - February 13, 2012
the other side of that coin
is that if there was more talent around Frazier his stats would be less gaudy because he’d be able to share the ball more.
spakajewia - February 13, 2012
just think how many assists he would have it the team could shoot.
BMAN13 - February 13, 2012
I agree.
But you can’t argue with Draymond Green. He does it all for a team who wasn’t suppose to be nearly as good as they are.
Eric Gibson - February 13, 2012
Yeah, not necessarily talking about this year in particular.
The MSU game sold me on Green. With 7 minutes to go he kind of just woke up and said “hey wait a minute, I’m really good at basketball!”, subsequently turning our 6-point “so you’re saying there’s a chance” deficit back into the teens in like 3 minutes.
dbl5030 - February 13, 2012
tim in the nba???
is rediculous, he can’t shoot threes and doesn’t have a dominate go-to shot, i love how he plays, and what he brings for us every night, played every minute of every game and super quick, but at 6-1 6-2 and 120 pounds, he will really need to develop an outside shooting touch….which if he gets by his senior year could make next year even more fun to watch with him and newbill
ktd5048 - February 13, 2012
You don't think his mid-range floater is a go-to shot?
But you’re right, his outside shot will really need work this offseason if he’s going to become a legit prospect.
Eric Gibson - February 13, 2012
He needs to become a different player in the offseason to be a legit NBA prospect
He just doesn’t have the size to play with the big boys. If he had a great outside shot, he would have a chance in the nba, but I really don’t see that happening.
I am an NBA season ticket holder, and Tim Frazier just doesn’t have the look of an NBA player right now. He needs another 20-30 pounds, another 3-4 inches, all without losing any quickness and while developing a significantly better jumper. In other words, it ain’t gonna happen.
spakajewia - February 13, 2012
We could all use
another 3-4 inches.
PSU Mudder - February 13, 2012
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